Flick impressed by Yamal, Ansu and Barcelona's youth as German coach settles in at new club

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Hansi Flick says he will be counting on Lamine Yamal and Barcelona’s batch of talented youngsters to help the German coach make a positive start at his new club.

Yamal was the breakout player at the European Championship. He turned 17 a day before Spain beat England in the final two weeks ago.

“What (Yamal) did in the Euros is unbelievable,” Flick said at his official presentation Thursday, two months after the former Germany and Bayern Munich manager signed up with Barcelona.

Yamal’s performances included upstaging new Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé in the semifinals against France, when the Barcelona teenager became the youngest scorer in tournament history aged 16 after curling home the goal of the tournament.

That came after Yamal had already scooped up several “youngest ever” records for his club.

“Now it is important for him to stay with both legs on the Earth,” Flick said. “He gives us great moments and also can improve and make things better, but he is on a really fantastic way.”

Flick took over from the fired Xavi Hernández on a two-year contract after Barcelona finished last season finished without a title.

The club has been struggling financially to keep up with Madrid, but it has been boosted once again by the talent that its famed La Masia training academy continues to produce.

Flick has only had two weeks to train with some of his team, as the players that participated in Euro 2024 and the Copa America have some time off. Others, like 17-year-old center back Pau Cubarsí, are playing at the Paris Olympics.

But he said he was pleased with what he had seen so far, especially the youths from Barcelona’s reserve team.

PRAISE FOR ANSU

The only player Flick wanted to name was forward Ansu Fati, who is back after a loan spell with Brighton. He was considered Barcelona’s rising star a few years ago before he suffered serious leg injuries.

Unfortunately, the 21-year-old hurt his right foot in practice Thursday. That will rule him out of the team’s preseason tour of the United States, Flick said.

“Ansu on the first days was unbelievable. He was very fit, and he showed it on the pitch and in training,” Flick said. “And now it is not good and we don’t have him here and in America, but we will help him come back stronger.”

Flick added that 19-year-old midfielder Gavi Paéz, who tore his right ACL while playing for Spain in November, must take his time coming back.

Barcelona will likewise start the season without defender Ronald Araújo after he injured his right hamstring while playing for Uruguay at the Copa America. Frenkie de Jong is also recovering from an injury that caused him to miss the Euros with the Netherlands.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said he was convinced Flick would bring back “renewed energies” to a team that has not won the Champions League since 2015, Lionel Messi’s heyday at the club.

Flick had a direct part in bringing down that great Barcelona side. He was in charge of Bayern when its historic 8-2 demolition of the Catalan club in 2020 marked a definitive end to its status as one of Europe's supreme teams.

Flick did not mention that most painful moment for Barcelona fans during his press conference at the auditorium next to its Camp Nou stadium. Instead, he said he will respect the club’s sacred playing style of ball possession and high pressure.

“The thing I want to see is that we are playing great football, technical football, so everyone at home on TV can see that this team gives its heart for the club," he said. "It is crucial that you can see that on the pitch.”

NICO TOO?

Perhaps it is wishful thinking given the club's recent financial troubles, but the Barcelona sports press speculates it could make a bid for Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams after the winger starred at the Euros alongside Yamal.

Laporta would only say Barcelona is in position to make any signings it needed.

When asked about Williams, Flick said he would not speak about players at other clubs.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Barcelona's new coach Hansi Flick and Barcelona FC President, Joan Laporta, pose for a photo during an official presentation event of the new coach in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, July 25, 2024. FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to become men's first team football coach until 30 June 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's new coach Hansi Flick and Barcelona FC President, Joan Laporta, pose for a photo during an official presentation event of the new coach in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, July 25, 2024. FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to become men's first team football coach until 30 June 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's new coach Hansi Flick and Barcelona FC President, Joan Laporta, during an official presentation event of the new coach in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, July 25, 2024. FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to become men's first team football coach until 30 June 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's new coach Hansi Flick speaks during an official presentation in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, July 25, 2024. FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to become men's first team football coach until 30 June 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's new coach Hansi Flick and Barcelona FC President, Joan Laporta, pose for a photo during an official presentation event of the new coach in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, July 25, 2024. FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to become men's first team football coach until 30 June 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) — Evacuations were ordered Saturday as a wildfire scorched the foothills of a national forest east of Los Angeles, amid a days-long heat wave that pushed temperatures into the triple digits across the region.

The so-called Line Fire was burning uncontrolled along the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) east of LA. As of Saturday afternoon, the blaze charred about 11 square miles (28 square km) of grass and chaparral, leaving a thick cloud of dark smoke blanketing the area.

The fire began Thursday evening, and the cause is under investigation.

About 500 firefighters were battling the blaze, supported by water-dropping helicopters that hovered over homes and hillsides, along with aircraft.

Firefighters said the blaze had the “potential for large fire growth” in the next 12 hours.

No injuries were reported, and no homes or other structures had been damaged or destroyed.

The National Weather Service said downtown Los Angeles hit a high of 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44 Celsius) Friday, which marked the third time since 1877 that a high of 112 degrees or more has been reached there.

Fire crews monitor the Line Fire, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Running Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Smoke rises from the Line Fire over the mountains Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Running Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Smoke rises from the Line Fire over the mountains Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Running Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Smoke from the Line Fire fills the air Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Running Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Fire crews monitor the Line Fire Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Highland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Fire crews monitor the Line Fire Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Highland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

A water dropping helicopter hovers over a neighborhood as crews battle the Line Fire Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Highland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

A cloud of smoke from the Line Fire rises over the mountains Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Running Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Fire crews monitor the Line Fire Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Highland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Fire crews monitor the Line Fire Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Highland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Evacuations ordered as wildfire burns in foothills of national forest east of LA

Evacuations ordered as wildfire burns in foothills of national forest east of LA

A helicopter drops water onto the Line Fire Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Highland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)